LP Review: Haru Nemuri – LOVETHEISM

Haru Nemuri is not only one of the clear statements on her social media, she is also one of them in her music. No matter how she performs her music, be it singing, whispering, rapping or shouting, she always delivers the emotions she wants to convey to the listener.

Haru Nemuri’s music always seems to be powerful and full of conviction, which can be heard, for example, in Riot, the second single with which she introduced the album in early March 2020. At the start of spring, the LOVETHEISM was released and a few months later Specifics Recordings released a European version of the album on vinyl.

With the release of LOVETHEISM‘s predecessor, her first album 春と修羅 (Haru To Shura), the poetry-rapper received a lot of attention, even outside of Japan. And even though her music is not for everyone, it seems that she is able to reach a decent audience that is eager to see and hear more of her. This is also reflected in the livestreams she has been doing in recent months to stay in touch with her fans through an original way of presenting her shows.

LOVETHEISM is the album that many fans were looking forward to, what exactly was Haru Nemuri’s next steps? The album, consisting of 7 sincere and memorable tracks, seems to be a combination of protest and affection, with Haru Nemuri trying to fill the empty space with her meaningful words and a perfect combination of instrumental additions.

The result is an album jam-packed with an exuberant sentiment that invites you to dance, sing and shout with Haru Nemuri. The beauty of it all is that Haru Nemuri writes all the songs and lyrics, as well as programming the music and the producing. Because of this, the musician again chooses to mix various elements from Japanese pop to alternative rock with her spoken word and rap. Completely seen, this is a record with nothing but love. Yet a sense of anger trickles through the songs, masked by the upbeat tracks like Fanfare and Riot. But the ferocity in the instruments in Be Your Ocean feels fierce and angry, while Haru Nemuri calmly tells her story in the beginning. As the song progresses, it feels grim. In any case, this is a moving album, full of emotion, a rollercoast ride.

The vinyl, released via Specifics Recordings, features the sleeping Haru Nemuri, referencing the meaning of her stage name and what can also be seen in the music videos Fanfare and Riot. In a statement for Fanfare, she explains her transformation from teenager to twenty-something, now she can wear what she wants and listen to what she likes. But it’s not all that simple, because she also wants to be able to express herself better, and that seems to be working out for her, she says.

The idea that her view of the world, how she looks at it, can be expressed in a poetic sense, in her music, is still very special. It is not music without context, although that can be nice to listen to from time to time. Her music is a message to the young people around her, to the whole world. LOVETHEISM is a step further in that direction and now that she’s planning to go to North America, it seems like there’s only a greater chance that she’ll be able to reach an ever-widening audience. It will be very special to see how much more Haru Nemuri will grow in name, passion and reach while staying herself, the inspiring artist Haru Nemuri.

LOVETHEISM Tracklist: 

1. Fanfare
2. Trust Nothing But Love
3. Pink Unicorn
4. Lovetheism
5. Be Your Ocean
6. Riot
7. Apple Song

The European limited release of LOVETHEISM on vinyl has been released via French label Specific Recordings, some are available for now via Bandcamp. LOVETHEISM is pressed on 180 gram vinyl, that means it is a heavier and thicker record which increases the durability of the vinyl.